Joel Taylor, of Discovery Channel’s Storm Chasers, died aboard “Harmony of the Seas” Royal Caribbean ship, and although there is no official cause of death, TMZ is reporting the 38-year-old reality star may have overdosed prior to being found unresponsive in his cabin.
“It appears the death could be an overdose [as he was] consuming controlled substances,” law enforcement sources told the gossip site.
Passengers aboard the added that they witnessed Taylor taking drugs, including ecstasy and cocaine.
One cruise ship-goer said Taylor was knocked unconscious after consuming a large quantity of GHB, a central nervous system depressant date rape drug often used to treat sleep disorders, on the dance floor. The source said Taylor was removed from the floor by two friends who then took him to his cabin.
Passengers have posted on social media that several people were arrested at the Ft. Lauderdale port for possession of drugs.
Both Olivia Newton-John and DJ duo Gallants were performers on the cruise. (via TMZ; Photo: Facebook)
RIP my best friend and storm chasing partner, Joel Taylor. I am shocked and absolutely devastated by the loss of my incredible, caring friend. We chased so many intense storms, and I wish we could have just one more storm chase. I’ll miss you forever, Joel. We lost a legend pic.twitter.com/htN45t8wik
— Reed Timmer (@ReedTimmerAccu) January 24, 2018